WEST DES MOINES -- To understand Steve Deace's feelings toward Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, one need listen no further than the one-minute canned introduction to the "Deace Show."

The song "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who plays and we hear an inspiring quote from President Ronald Reagan. The music shifts, then we hear the voice of President Obama, followed by remarks by Mitt Romney. Then Obama, then Romney. Then more Obama.

"We are no longer a Christian nation," Deace plays Obama saying, before switching to Romney talking about supporting gun laws, a woman's right to choose, and the Boy Scouts being open to people of all sexual orientations.

The implication is clear: Romney is no Reagan; he is an Obama-light. And the Mormon candidate may not even be a Christian.

The nightly barrage on Deace's show spells fresh trouble for Romney in Iowa, a state where he has never been strong -- or even fully committed to campaigning -- but still can't afford to come in at the back of the pack. Deace has been one of Iowa's most influential conservative radio hosts for several years, and this month his show went syndicated. It now airs in 21 markets, in Iowa and a handful of Southern states. During the fall, Deace was training his ire on Herman Cain. But when Cain dropped out of the race in early December, Deace turned his sights on Romney, reprising the air war he waged against the former Massachusetts governor in 2008 that one former aide says helped cost him the state....

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